So You Think You Can Dance: One Woman's Journey

Once in a great while, there are moments worth watching on network television. Usually I miss them, since I'm not much of a TV fan. However, thanks to social networking and connectivity with readers here on the HuffPo, it seems I'm never very far out of the loop. My thanks to Sunshine Sally DeGamble Johnson, a reader of this post, who shared a link to one of those moments worth watching through our connection on Facebook.

The moment came on So You Think You Can Dance last week. Just in case there are any other non-fans reading this, SYTYCD is a dance competition with paired contestants, a panel of judges and the typical elimination format, including viewer votes. Contestants vie for a cash prize of $250,000 and the title, America's Favorite Dancer. The top 10 finalists perform in a national tour, which give them additional exposure to talent scouts. The show has landed 10 Emmy nominations for outstanding choreography, winning three.

Along with the panel of judges and most people in the audience, I was moved to tears watching contestants Melissa Sandvig and Ade Obayomi's beautiful tribute to one woman's journey through breast cancer, brilliantly choreographed by Tyce Diorio.

The judges were uncharacteristically choked up afterward. Nigel Lythgoe, a judge and one of the show's producers, was reminded of the power of dance to portray emotions without words and remarked, "If this isn't a [an Emmy] nomination next year, I'll be hugely surprised."

It must be every choreographer's dream to have dancers bring something ineffable to a performance that has them transcend the steps and become the dance itself. And so it was this time. Tyce Diorio was obviously moved by the dancers' performance.

The message of this dance speaks to the courage of the human spirit. Pay attention to the judges comments after the performance.

manda 8 @ Yahoo! Video

200,000 women will be diagnosed with breast cancer this year. Four months ago, I became one of them. I'm fortunate to have detected it early, gotten treatment and am still recovering from surgery.

The lessons of breast cancer are still being revealed. So far, I've learned that where we're the most vulnerable, there lies our true strength. How ironic that it takes something like cancer to strip away the "faux courage" of the personality to reach the true courage of the spirit.

It's one thing to forge one's way through life on sheer will power and determination. Much can be accomplished through those means. I should know. I've been very good at it most of my life. Up until now.

Breast cancer has taught me about the strength of surrender. Most people think of surrender as "giving up". Surrender involves giving up, but not in a conventional sense. Just as the willow tree surrenders to the will of the wind and finds strength through flexibility, so the human spirit finds its true strength and courage by allowing what is, to be so without resisting it. To surrender then, is to give up resistance to what already is. This is more aptly put by Tai Chi master Cheng Man-ch'ing as "using the yielding to overcome the unyielding".

Anyone who receives a diagnosis of cancer, no matter what the stage, is immediately faced with the reality of their own mortality. In my last post, I touched upon the tendency for human beings to be in denial about their own death. The subject of facing death was also addressed by Huff Post blogger, Jim Selman, in his post Learning How To Die. Ultimately, the question of our death turns us towards looking at how we choose to live.

A little more than three weeks on the other side of surgery, my journey with breast cancer is now about healing and the lessons of surrender continue. Some days are easier than others. Some days remind me of the toll on my body and that it needs rest. This warrior woman I've always been is learning to dance with the healing process, and embrace its path. I am on a journey of "yielding to that which is unyielding" and growing a little bit stronger each day.

This was all so beautifully portrayed in the video. I do hope you'll share it, especially with anyone you know who has or has had breast cancer. I dare them to keep a dry eye.

Cancer is not the only way we learn to surrender. Lessons come to us in many forms, most often through life's greatest challenges. What have been your challenges and what lessons have you learned from them? I hope you'll take the time to leave a comment here or on my personal blog at Rx For The Soul, http://www.judithrich.com.

An update: Due to a scheduling conflict, I will be rescheduling the tele-seminar series, Living On Purpose, for later this fall and will provide updated information on my website as it becomes available.

Thanks much for stopping by. I love receiving your links and materials you think would make for interesting blog material. Facebook is a good interface for sharing. If you'd like to be a FB friend, please send me a friend request and let me know you're a reader. You can also leave personal messages for me on my website. To receive automatic updates of my posts here, please click on the Become A Fan button.

Blessings on the path.

Judith

Follow Dr. Judith Rich on Twitter: www.twitter.com/dr_judithrich

Comments

[Tracy Phaup]

What a brilliant and loving article! Thank you for not only the courage to share in such a powerful way about your own journey, but for allowing this amazing performance to share the parts that there are no words for.

I can only imagine the impact they've had on you - thanks for passing it on!

Love you dearly,
Tracy

[dhyland]

Dear Judith,

Wow. I found myself deeply moved as I read this and watched the video.

I was reminded through your words of the power of true surrender. In the words of John Denver, surrender truly is a "sweet, sweet" ground in which to walk through life.

In hearing one judge speak about the trust that Melissa and Ade displayed in their partnership, I was reminded of the power of rock solid support, and found myself experiencing deep gratitude for the friends I have, who, no matter what, have been the voice of "all is well, trust."

Thank you for bringing so much to awareness through this post: the power we have through surrendering and trusting, the importance of Vitamin D, and the power of challenges to be sources of growth and compassion.

Love, blessings, and gratitude to you,
Dawnelle

[democrats08]

Hi Dr Rich this is 'sunshine sally'... thank you for your post... and thank you to Dr.Cara too for her inspiring words. I'm honored to have found you both.

[Dr. Judith Rich - Huffpost Blogger]

Hey there Miss Sunshine Sally,

You were my source of inspiration for this post! Thanks so much for sharing the link and for stopping by here. I am grateful to be the recipient of your creative largesse.... :-)

The honor is shared,
Judith

[Dr. Cara Barker - Huffpost Blogger]

I've been sitting with your blog for over 24 hours, now, simply taking in the magnificent beauty. What you've written is so compelling, so real, so interlaced with human consciousness borne through the courage to face the unfaceable. Bless you, Judith.

As for the dancers and dance, I am nearly speechless. Art, for me, has always been the best medicine for what's ailed me, and those I love. Endless in form, yet universal in its capacity to hold what is beyond words, and bring it through the birth canal of reverent love.

Love and healing your way,
Cara

[Dr. Judith Rich - Huffpost Blogger]

Dear Cara,

In spite of being "nearly speechless", you always come with the pearls. Articulated as only YOU can.

Hope you're on the mend.

Blessings,
Judith

[HesDanTheMan]

The Breast Cancer Dance was by far the best ever on all of the seasons combined of SYTYCD.

How sad too, that Ade and Melissa were the two given the boot tonight! What a shame that America didn't remember that dance for just one more week!

Thank you for posting about this special dance number!

[Dr. Judith Rich - Huffpost Blogger]

Ahhh, The Breast Cancer Dance.... I love that you named it thus! It will always be a stand out.

Spoiler Alert.... Ade and Melissa were eliminated..... I didn't know til now as I'm on the West Coast and it hasn't aired yet. Major bummer!

I can assure you, this American will remember that dance for a long time to come.

Thanks so much for your comment,
Judith

[Jason Mannino - Huffpost Blogger]

Just gorgeous! I love you!
Jason

[Dr. Judith Rich - Huffpost Blogger]

I love you, back Jason!

[onelovecandy]

Dr Judith Rich,

You are so aptly named. So very rich indeed. The richness you bring to life with your words and with your heart are truly felt. You so understand the journey that is called life. Bravo to you. How much more enjoyable is life when we go with it, in lieu of against it.

Namaste (for the spirit in me truly bows to and acknowledges the spirit in you)

[Dr. Judith Rich - Huffpost Blogger]

Hello to you, dear onelovecandy,

Thank you for these kind words. I can only say I am grateful for the lessons life is teaching me, even the hard ones. And for the opportunity to be in service and meet such wonderful people along the path.

Namaste to you,
Judith

[Usedtobequiet]

Good day, Judith, for it is one! Just a thank you for sharing this clip; what a remarkable dance. One of the things that was so striking to me was Melissa's trust in Ade as she leapt and was caught, was lifted and carried. No wonder it worked so beautifully.

Thank you for sharing your experiences. You never know who might be touched by your story. I made an appointment for a mammogram that is long overdue.

Living with a teenager is my biggest challenge these days - trying to remain present while part of me wants to run. Maybe I need to create my own dance for that.

Usedtobequiet

[Dr. Judith Rich - Huffpost Blogger]

Hello there,

So good to see you here, Usedtobequiet. I'm glad you got your mammogram! And, if I may offer some additional advice without sounding like your mother, please make sure you take your Vitamin D. My oncologist, who practices functional medicine, believes my chronically low D levels is the primary cause of my breast cancer. He recommends 1000 IU for every 30 lbs. of body weight, so much higher doses of D than the FDA recommends.

Good luck with the teen experience! This too shall pass. All too soon, I'm afraid...... someday you'll actually miss this time. Don't forget to keep breathing.......

Love and blessings,
Judith

[Usedtobequiet]

Dr. Rich, I appreciate your advice and wouldn't mind a bit even if you did sound like my mother! Last year I had my Vitamin D level done and it was normal, so that's good. I do remember reading somewhere that there is a theory out there that Oregon and Washington's high rate of breast cancer may be because of the side effects of our weather - less Vitamin D from the natural source. Something to consider for those of us in the less sunny states.

Usedtobequiet

[James M. Lynch - Huffpost Blogger]

Judith,
Thanks for singling this out. What I like about SYTYCD is that everyone in my family can watch it and be invested; my 12 yr. old daughter, my 9 yr. old son, my 6 yr. old daughter and my wife and I. This was a beautiful moment but there are regularly dances so beautiful, the movement and joy of the dancers so inspiring that it's almost too much to bear! On top of that, my 6 yr. old is obviously a reincarnated dancer and can watch a dance and immediately choreograph a routine out of it; she moves like no 6 yr. old I've ever seen!
I was moved by this piece and believe that there's a healing available that comes through things like dance, music and the arts, not just physically but emotionally and that programming for the arts is not 'optional', but mandatory for a healthy society.
Thanks for sharing this piece. (BTW -- I give you a 'nod' in this week's post "I am a Big Fat Jerk)
Love,
James.

[Dr. Judith Rich - Huffpost Blogger]

Hi James,

Thanks for your comment. I posted your blog on my FB page. I loved it! And thanks for the "nod".

I'm stopping by your post after this to leave a comment.

Best to you dear friend,
Judith

[Ed and Deb Shapiro - Huffpost Blogger]

Hi sistah Judith, This is an amazing blog... I love it

The dancing in SO YOU THINK YOU CAN DANCE is superb and elelgant. I am a pro and I know

Much love,

Ed

[Dr. Judith Rich - Huffpost Blogger]

Dear Ed,

You are a pro's pro! What a well rounded guy you are! It really was an elegant dance, wasn't it? And it touched many people's hearts. I'm glad you enjoyed it.

Thanks for stopping by. I'll be at your post shortly to do the same.

Best,
Judith

[Kari Henley - Huffpost Blogger]

Beautiful.
thank you for continuing to share your journey with breast cancer. I have had no less than three women in our community die from the disease this year, another woman struggling with PTSD after the long ordeal was overwith, and another who is still fighting for her life.

It is a brutal disease that snatches the brightest lights -without warning or solace.

The more awareness we can bring, the greater our collective capacity to research, pray and heal one another through each and every stage. Just getting through the medical treatments is the first part of the journey. Managing survivorship is another ball game altogether that is not yet fully explored. And you give so many comfort and inspiration.... Thank You!
Kari

[Dr. Judith Rich - Huffpost Blogger]

Dear Kari,

Wow, you have been on the front lines in this battle. I know, you've really been there for me too. I just wonder how many cases of breast cancer are caused by chronic low vitamin D levels, like mine. D deficiency is an epidemic according to health officials. It impacts not only breast cancer, but prostate cancer and heart disease as well.

Managing survivorship, for me, is all about getting my mind wrapped around the kinds of changes in diet and nutritional supplements and exercising daily. It's for the rest of my life. That's a big chunk to get my mind around. And I'm totally on board and grateful to be healthy, with "clear margins"! I have a lot more work to do!

Many thanks for stopping by,
Judith

[Pippen]

I watch SYTYCD fairly regularly. I was watching the other night when Tyce's choreagraphy was shown. Like I've said, I'ved watched the program fairly consistently and that dance brought about the most genuine authentic expression from the judges I've ever seen on television, ever.

The performance was rending and I suspect we will see it again in the future. Something that powerful will not sit in an 8mm can for studio storage clips and home movies. I hope it grows legs and viewership.

Art is dying in our school systems because of costs and then it takes something like this to snap us humans back into our own humanity. Art isn't just an expression but a language and a life and a medicine. Art can teach.

It's a wonderfully structured program and Nigel has elevated it's purpose with his hard work and understanding of what Art should be.

Good spirit to you Judith and thank you for the blog.

[Dr. Judith Rich - Huffpost Blogger]

Dear Pippen,

Thanks for your comment. And thanks especially for your insight about the status of art in our school systems today.

You are so right, art is indeed a medicine. Unfortunately, in the realm of state budget cuts today, it's one of the first programs to be cut because it's not considered part of the core curriculum. We have neither enlightened leaders nor taxpayers, I'm afraid.

I'm now a fan of this program, thanks to the reader who shared it with me. Nigel is the real deal when it comes to a true appreciation of the arts. We need more hearts and souls like his to help us preserve this gift so our children will know what part of life is all about.

Blessings to you,
Judith

[1sparrow]

judith nailed one of the best segments of free television since the singing duet of adam lambert and allison iraheta. i really dig how dance and music appeals to a higher form of brain function. i have a yearning to help in the fight against cancer as i will die in a similar manner as both my parents. yes it made me cry.

[Dr. Judith Rich - Huffpost Blogger]

Dear 1sparrow,

Dance and music transcend language and connect us to the feeling realm of the brain. Almost everyone who's watched this video has reported to me that they've been moved to tears. This is not something we can easily express in words. But it lets us know we're alive and for that, we can be grateful.

I just want to say to you regarding your parents' cancer, please don't pre-assign yourself an early death sentence, no matter what the genetics might suggest. Our thoughts create our reality. You have no way of knowing what the future holds in terms of advances in medicine. The point is to live now as if today is all there is, because for all we know, it might be. If fighting cancer is part of your vision, by all means go for it. We'll all benefit for your efforts.

Live large now,
Judith

[DiogenesOfAlaska]

Yes, ineffable.

No judgements or comparisons possible, because this piece of art has crossed the river and came back in awareness.

It's like a new cycle of life has started. Almost a mythical event.

[Dr. Judith Rich - Huffpost Blogger]

DiogenesOfAlaska,

Your insights ALWAYS bring something ineffable to the conversation, no matter the subject. I learn from you.

Indeed, a new cycle of life has begun. In every moment it is so.

I love the moments that you share here with all of us. You're a treasure!

Blessings,
Judith

[AngieMom57]

Dancing and singing everyday; with or without tears.

Works for me too ;-)

[Dr. Judith Rich - Huffpost Blogger]

Hello my dear,

I'm so happy to see you here. How are you doing? You've been in my thoughts and prayers. Know that you are loved and cared for by people you don't even know.

And keep on dancing and singing.

You're a gift,
Judith